Kylie Braham, EET Coordinator for Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council in Wales, writes this month about Pontypridd CAP's very successful recent Care2Work event.

If you needed proof that a single summer can change a young person’s life, you only had to step into the Care2Work celebration event. Around sixty people filled the room, young people, staff, partners and supporters, all buzzing with pride as an amazing video played on the screen. It captured laughter, nerves, break throughs and the kind of moments that stay with you long after the programme ends. The applause was loud, the smiles were huge and the sense of achievement was unmistakable.

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But the real magic happened long before that celebration.

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It began when a group of young people stepped into a bright, modern learning space in Rhondda Cynon Taf, a space that finally felt like it belonged to them. Thanks to CAP funding, gone were the days of cold rooms, dodgy toilets and uncomfortable chairs. Instead, they walked into a venue with calming views, open space and an atmosphere that said, “You matter here.”

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Some arrived confidently. Some arrived quietly. Some arrived because they were not sure what else to do. All arrived carrying stories, challenges and hopes they did not always share out loud.

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And slowly, something remarkable began to unfold.

Finding Their Voice

The first activities were simple. Conversations, icebreakers, CV writing and customer service skills. But beneath the surface, confidence was quietly building. One young person who barely spoke on day one began offering ideas during group tasks. Another who struggled with social anxiety found themselves laughing with new friends. Someone who had never believed they could succeed suddenly realised they had a talent for problem solving.

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The programme did not just teach employability. It taught courage. It taught communication. It taught teamwork. It taught resilience, the kind that opens doors in every workplace and every community.

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Skills That Change Futures

Then came the accredited training. Level 2 Food Safety in Catering and Barista skills. Real qualifications that meant something. Real achievements that could be shown to employers.

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One young person used their new qualification to secure an interview for part time work. That moment, that single interview, was a turning point. A spark. A glimpse of a future they had not dared imagine.

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Breakthrough Moments

Every participant had their own breakthrough.

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There was the young person who refused to take part in activities outside their comfort zone. By the end of the programme, they were confidently completing a work placement with the strategic arm of NHS Wales and even chose to speak on camera for the celebration video.

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There was the learner who travelled from outside RCT every day, often arriving late and flustered. With support and encouragement, they did not arrive late once during their five day work placement, despite a ninety minute commute each way.

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These were not small wins. These were life changing shifts in confidence, responsibility and self-belief.

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A Celebration to Remember

The final celebration event brought everything together. The room was filled with pride as the video played, showing teamwork challenges, communication workshops, customer service practice and the joy of young people discovering what they could achieve.

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Stories were shared. Achievements were applauded. Barriers that once felt impossible were recognised as milestones now behind them.

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And of course, the escape room celebration, followed by McDonald’s, was a highlight. A chance for young people to relax, laugh and enjoy a reward they absolutely earned.

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A Special Shout Out to the Team Behind It All

None of this would have been possible without the extraordinary staff across Rhondda Cynon Taf who supported these young people every step of the way. Their patience, encouragement, humour and unwavering belief helped turn nerves into confidence, challenges into achievements and aspirations into real, tangible goals. The programme’s success is a testament to their dedication and the way they showup, consistently, compassionately and wholeheartedly.

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A Summer That Sparked Something Bigger

Care2Work did not just keep young people safe and engaged. It did not just teach employability. It did not just open doors to education, employment and training.

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It helped young people see themselves differently. It helped them realise they are capable, valued and ready for the next chapter.

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This was not just a programme. It was a story filled with courage, growth and unforgettable moments. And for every young person who took part, it was the beginning of a brighter chapter.